Chip and Daisy’s Blog: Back to Our Texas Home from Baja California, Mexico

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018

Destination: Somewhere on the way to Yuma, Arizona

Unknown miles

When we departed the La Jolla Beach Campground, outside of Ensenada, at 8:47 am  we were enroute to the US border and then to an undecided destination for the night.  We did not know just how long it would take us to clear US Customs at the border and to return the Mexican travel permits after we crossed back over to Mexican Customs.  It was 1:52 pm when Daisy and I pulled out of the border area and turned our camper northeast. We had decided by that time that our destination for the night would be El Centro, California.

After a stop at a U-Haul to fill our propane tanks, we arrived at Desert Trails RV Park at 4:05. We had driven 61 miles since the Mexican border. We got set up and had a burger dinner.  After showers we caught up with Internet activity since this was the first time we had a reliable signal in over 3 weeks.  Daisy posted a status to let family and friends know that we were back in the US, and we went to bed early.

Thursday, March 1

Destination: Gila Bend, AZ

178 miles

From El Centro, California, it was to be a 1400 mile journey back to our winter haven in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. I was still recovering from a lingering illness and would not be doing long days on the road.  We left at 10 am.

Daisy and I had decided that this destination needed to be one at which we would rest up and wash up the camper.  We had stayed in this KOA campground on our way west and figured it would be a great place to hole up and recharge.

We normally do not make reservations and did not this time either. Upon arrival  at 3:08 pm, we were given one of the last remaining sites. It seems that at least 2 caravans were also staying the night there.  It was a good thing that we could use a small site in that all the large ones were empty but spoken for. 

The camper looked as if it had been in the oil fields and was my first priority for a wash job.  Luckily they had a dedicated wash pad with a power washer assigned to this wash area. If you think it looks like I was losing my pants, you are right. I had lost some weight due to illness and had not punched a new hole in my belt yet.

It took a while of repeated washing but there is nothing like having a clean rear end.

That night the skies were clear and Daisy posted photos of the full moon over the Maricopa Mountains.

Friday, March 2

Destination:  Deming, New Mexico

338 Miles

We made good time traveling through Tucson, climbing to Wilcox, AZ and Lordsburg, NM, then down to Deming, our evening campground location.

We set up near the restrooms and showers, dumped our grey and black tanks, and filled with fresh water for the next day.  This campground had cable TV and great Wi-Fi  that we took advantage of, and we used it to answer those folks that had been wondering where the heck we were!

Saturday, March 3

Destination: Fort Stockton, Texas

344 Miles

We did not depart Deming until 9:31 am. It was 36 degrees with clear skies at this 4337-foot elevation when I first got up at 6:30 am. I rightly decided to go back to bed and wait for more sun warming before I did outdoor chores. 

The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is one of the landmarks of Las Cruces, New Mexico as you head east on I-10.The other is the roadrunner sculpture.

It wasn't long before we crossed the Texas state border. We laughed and made the standard statement that we are now home. But in reality Texas is one big state and we still had 2 more nights of lodging and 3 days of roadwork before we got back to our winter base in the southern Rio Grande Valley.

We did get a rainbow welcoming us however and another gorgeous sunset.

Sunday, March 4

Destination: Crystal City, Texas

292 Miles

This was to be our last night in the truck camper for a while. The next day we planned to arrive at our Texas home.

There is a lot of empty road in west Texas, some with goats or bicyclists for company.

We arrived at the Cross S RV Park out in the middle of nowhere at 2:45 pm. A storm front was nearby and we were glad to be off the road. We had a very windy evening and night. This means we rocked a bit until early morning. 

Monday, March 5

Destination: Elsa, Texas

254 Miles

We left Crystal City at 8:49 am and it was 72 degrees on a cloudy day. We arrived at our Texas base at 1:40 pm. It was great to be safe at home after another adventure with many wonderful memories to recall.  I could finally say that my illness was behind me. It was about time.

We were happy to say hello to our friends at our RV resort, rest, and recreate.

This trip was the farthest Daisy and I have taken by road into Mexico. On this trek we had traveled 4,033 miles in 38 days.  Of this, 950 miles and 23 days were in Mexico.  We had seen great scenery and had some unique experiences. We met people who have become dear to us and we look forward to meeting them again in upcoming adventures on the road.  Most of all we did this together.

We are blessed with us.  Adios mis amigos!